Mules' stubborn defense derails ND

~ Poplar Bluff girls snapped the Bulldogs' six-game winning streak.

POPLAR BLUFF -- Most teams that face the Notre Dame girls basketball team know by now that slowing sophomore center Jane Morrill is a top priority.

Poplar Bluff became the first team in a month to be able to execute that strategy.

The Mules jumped on Notre Dame early and cruised to a 58-33 victory in a meeting of two of the hottest teams in the SEMO Conference.

"They played smart," said the 5-foot-11 Morrill, who still managed 18 points to lead the Bulldogs. "Defensively, they were very tough. Offensively, they pushed the ball real well on our defense and did a nice job breaking our press."

Notre Dame's Paige Schumer got off a shot during the second half Monday in Poplar Bluff. (BRIAN ROSENER ~ Daily American Republic)

Poplar Bluff improved to 13-5 and 3-1 in the conference with its seventh straight win.

Notre Dame fell to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in the conference as its six-game winning streak dating back to a Dec. 13 loss to St. Louis Notre Dame was snapped.

"They did to us exactly what we wanted to do to them," Notre Dame coach Renee Peters said. "Defensively, they put us on our heels and took us out of our game plan."

Poplar Bluff hit its opening shot -- a 3-pointer by Aereill Davis -- and went on to build a 16-4 lead less than 5 minutes into the game. Poplar Bluff was ahead 15 after one period, 15 at halftime and 14 after three periods, during which Notre Dame had its best rally after getting down by 18 points.

Morrill scored on three consecutive possessions by grabbing offensive rebounds and scoring, while Paige Schumer scored four points early in the second half, and Notre Dame closed within 32-22 midway through the third period. After Alex Fowler's trey -- the only 3-pointer converted in five attempts for the Bulldogs -- brought Notre Dame back within 38-26, the Bulldogs misfired on another possession and Davis scored on a fast-break layin just before the buzzer to restore the 14-point lead.

"They had confidence and they had the lead, and they were able to take some chances and do some different things," Peters said. "We're a more capable team than that. Jane's been probably our most consistent player, but we try not to rely too heavily on her. We knew they would sit back in a 1-3-1, and we wanted our wings to get their shots, but we didn't make many shots from the wing."

According to Poplar Bluff's statistics, Notre Dame was 14-for-36 (38.9 percent) from the field. It also hit just 4-of-11 free throws.

"We just have to run the offense better and get open looks," Morrill said.

The Mules outrebounded the Bulldogs 28-22 and forced 17 turnovers while committing 12.

Morrill ended up as the only player in double figures for the Bulldogs with 18 points. She also had 10 rebounds. Fowler and Schumer combined for 13 points.

"We wanted to try to keep Morrill from taking over the game," Poplar Bluff coach Kirk Chronister said. "We thought if we kept that from happening and kept [Emily] Brumitt from getting hot with the 3s, we had a chance.

"I thought we executed our game plan fairly well. We wanted to keep it out of Morrill's hands as much as possible. We had everyone drop down and double team except the one who was guarding Brumitt."

Poplar Bluff, which was 21-for-39 (53.8 percent) from the field, had three players in double figures: Jasmin Sumrall with 13, Davis with 12 and Ruthie Johnson with 10.

The decision leaves Dexter and Jackson, who meet Monday, as the last two unbeaten teams in conference play. Notre Dame has split two with Jackson in two tournament games this season.

"We've asked this group to mature quickly," Peters said, "and they've done a great job for us."

Notre Dame 6 6 14 7 -- 33

Poplar Bluff 21 6 13 18 -- 58

Notre Dame (33) -- Alex Fowler 7, Jane Morrill 18, Paige Schumer 6, Emily Welker 1, Allyson Bradshaw 1. FG 14, FT 4-11, F 16 (3-pointer: Fowler 1. Fouled out: none)

Poplar Bluff (58) -- Ruthie Johnson 10, Jasmin Sumrall 13, Stefenie Ferguson 2, Alexandra Pattillo 2, Emilie Thomas 4, Aereill Davis 12, Natalie Stonecipher 8, Miranda Burroughs 2, Victoria Williams 5. FG 21, FT 12-14, F 13 (3-pointers: Johnson 1, Davis 1. Fouled out: none)